On Sunday, August 25, 2024, the Yasser Arafat Foundation held an event to commemorate the birth of the revolutionary writer Majid Abu Sharar in Al-Muntada Hall at the Yasser Arafat Museum.
The event began with the Palestinian national anthem, a moment of silence, and the recitation of Al-Fatiha for the soul of the late President Yasser Arafat, the late nationalist Majid Abu Sharar, and all the martyrs of Palestine.
Dr. Ahmad Soboh, Chairman of the Yasser Arafat Foundation’s Board, welcomed the attendees and explained that the event is part of the "In National Memory - Companions of the Path" program. This initiative, now in its third year, honors prominent figures among the founders and close associates of the late president Yasser Arafat. He noted that over the past three years, the foundation has commemorated the birthdays of Khaled al-Hassan, George Habash, Salah Khalaf, and Khalil al-Wazir in the first year; Ahmad Shukeiri, Dr. Haidar Abdel-Shafi, Faisal al-Husseini, and Saad Sayel in the second year; and Mahmoud Darwish, Abu Ali Mustafa, Majid Abu Sharar, with the year 2024 concluding with the late Saleem al-Za’noun.
Dr. Soboh emphasized that the foundation honors the memory of Majid Abu Sharar in proximity to the founder's shrine and his final trench, paying tribute to his contributions to Palestine and its cause. He highlighted Abu Sharar’s intellectual, activist, and literary values, noting his remarkable organizational skills, boundless dedication, and field leadership. Abu Sharar was never a mere desk-bound figure but a dynamic leader constantly moving between cities and countries.
Dr. Soboh reflected on how these leaders gave their lives for Palestine, achieving significant positions within the Fatah Movement despite their young ages. He recalled his first encounter with Majid at the Fourth Fatah Congress in Damascus, Syria, noting how Majid and his early companions sacrificed personal gains for national goals and believed that the freedom fighter was the first to sacrifice and the last to enjoy life.
Abu Sharar also played an active role in forming popular committees to support Palestine in Saudi Arabia and other countries. Dr. Soboh mentioned that Majid was part of the democratic left within Fatah, which he saw as a means for further reform and development within the movement. He concluded by thanking Majid’s children (Salam, Asma, and Diala).
Nabil Amro, a writer and politician and a friend of Majid Abu Sharar, delivered a speech stating that Majid was a renewer of the Palestinian political discourse both internally and externally, utilizing unified media to promote the Palestinian cause in international forums. Amro described Abu Sharar as a unifying thinker with sound opinions and advice, whose office in Damascus was a gathering place for Fatah’s key figures in the 1970s.
Amro praised Majid Abu Sharar for his influential charisma and strong personal presence, which shaped public opinion through his writings. He emphasized Majid's belief that a successful politician must be well-informed and noted his view that the Palestinian cause transcends political affiliations and movements.
Amro expressed concern over the current mass destruction in Gaza, Majid’s hometown while acknowledging Gaza’s resilience. He thanked the Yasser Arafat Foundation for its program commemorating influential leaders in Palestinian history, expressing pride in the foundation’s role in preserving their legacy.
In a recorded message, Majid Abu Sharar’s eldest son, Salam, spoke about his father as a parent and a person. He shared the difficulty of losing his father at a young age, especially since his younger sister Dalia was only three years old at the time. Salam reflected on how important it is for a child to have a father for guidance and support through life’s stages, and how his father left a positive impression on how to interact with people with humility and generosity. He also recalled witnessing his father’s tears over the death of Palestinian photographer Hani Johaireh, highlighting the deep personal connections Majid maintained. Salam concluded by expressing immense pride in his father’s legacy and the values he instilled in them.
The foundation also presented a film titled "The Revolutionary Writer," showcasing Majid Abu Sharar’s life, contributions to the Palestinian revolution, and his literary and political impact.
The event was attended by members of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Central Committee of Fatah, Revolutionary Council members, and numerous notable figures and writers. It also featured a photo exhibition titled "Images from the National Memory of the Late Revolutionary Writer Majid Abu Sharar."
